True Crime Recaps

Female serial killers are rare, but that doesn't mean they're any less vicious. This week, Amy and Chris profile 3 of the most incredible cases involving serial killers of the fairer sex. In the first story, Chris details Delphine LaLaurie, who was a sadistic murderer and torturer from New Orleans. She was a wealthy and well-connected woman who carried out her horrible acts within the comfort of her Louisiana mansion. Most of her victims were slaves on her property, and she subjected them to burning, dismembering and many other atrocities. Her crimes were so sickening, a mob drove her out and she exiled herself to France. Information on her and her family after this time is very limited. The first female American serial killer, Belle Gunness, is often overshadowed by Aileen Wuornos, but Belle walked so Aileen could run. Belle was born in Norway and emigrated to the United States in 1881. Belle's victims were mostly wealthy men who she managed to lure onto her Indiana farm under the guise of sex, love and marriage. The exact amount of Belle's victims is unknown, but it could be as high as 40 people! Belle supposedly died in a fire, but many believe that she faked her death Danish serial killer Dagmar Overbye murdered as many as 25 children, including one of her own between 1913 and 1920. She is believed to the inspiration for the witch in the famous story "Hansel and Gretel." Dagmar opened up a daycare, which became a nearly endless supply of babies for her to kill in the most gruesome of fashions. Luckily for us, her death in prison is well-recorded. Finally, Amy brings you a bonus story about Leonarda Cianciulli, otherwise known The Soap-Maker of Correggio. But the soap she made had a secret and gruesome ingredient, human flesh. Leonarda somehow got it into her mind that her son needed spiritual protection as he was fighting in World War II. Her solution was to lure vulnerable women to her home where she killed, dismembered, and repurposed their body parts as soap, cakes and even clothing. Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps! Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/ Listen and subscribe now to ‘The Trials of Frank Carson’ on LATIMES.com, or listen and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts Design like a pro with Canva Pro! Get a FREE 45-day extended trial when you go to Canva.me/TRUE Follow TCR on YouTube here! Follow TCR on Instagram here! Follow TCR on Facebook here!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NXIVM has spawned multiple documentaries and specials that recount the multitude of horrors that enigmatic leader Keith Raniere and former Smallville actress Allison Mack had perpetrated against its members. This week, Amy and Chris dive even deeper into this cult disguised as a self-improvement group. You'll hear exclusive recorded sessions, including the inception of the now infamous DOS group, and many other details of what went on behind closed doors. NXIVM lured hundreds of people with broad promises of improving their finances, intellect and other aspects of personal development. Whether or not it began with good intentions, it ultimately turned into sex slavery, encouraging eating disorders, branding people's skin, and much more. Allison Mack ran a subset of NXIVM where she lorded over many impressionable women to create a personal harem for their leader, who they referred to as Vanguard. Listen to the timeline of the various crimes committed by Keith and those around him, and how he was ultimately taken down. Send your true crime suggestions to hello@truecrimerecaps! Support the show AND listen ad-free here!: https://truecrimerecaps.supercast.tech/ Get 10% OFF your 1st month by going to Betterhelp.com/recaps Design like a pro with Canva Pro! Right now, you can get a FREE 45-day extended trial when you go to Canva.me/true Follow TCR on YouTube here! Follow TCR on Instagram here! Follow TCR on Facebook here!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices